Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

131. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action being taken at EU level regarding Taliban laws which violate legal obligations and treaties to which Afghanistan is a state party; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56895/25]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

164. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his assessment of the current situation in Afghanistan, especially in relation to the rights of women and girls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56898/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 164 together.

Ireland has consistently condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities. This message was clearly reiterated by the Taoiseach in addressing the UN General Assembly last month when he called out the brutal Taliban for their denial of the most fundamental rights of Afghanistan's women and girls.

In line with the commitment in "Securing our Future", Ireland continues to play an active role in seeking to maintain EU and international attention on the appalling human rights situation within Afghanistan and, in particular, the utterly unacceptable restrictions imposed by the Taliban on Afghan women and girls. These restrictions are severely limiting their access to health, education and employment and leading to increased levels of early and forced marriage and child labour. I also recently had the opportunity to speak with Filippo Grandi the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on these issues.

I continue to believe that the current dire human rights and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan clearly warrants a political level discussion within the Foreign Affairs Council, given that the last such discussion took place in March 2023. Ireland will continue to advocate for this within the relevant Council bodies. We will also continue to fully support the role of the EU, through its Special Envoy for Afghanistan, in working to address the human rights and humanitarian situation and to promote more inclusive and democratic governance within Afghanistan, including through the UN-led Doha process.

I also very much welcome the landmark decision of the UN Human Rights Council at its most recent session to establish an Independent Investigative Mechanism on Afghanistan, a measure for which Ireland and our EU partners strongly campaigned. This new mechanism is a significant milestone in the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability for the people of Afghanistan as well as an essential part of building a future for Afghanistan rooted in justice, equality, and the rule of law.

My Department also continues to support the Afghan people through the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance which has totalled over €20 million since 2020. This aid is principally channelled through the UN and it agencies as well as organisations such as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC). My Department has also provided €3 million already in 2025 to the UN-managed Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, as well as an additional €1 million to the UNHCR Afghanistan Refugee Regional Response which supports Afghan refugees and host communities in neighbouring states, including in their work to provide educational assistance to Afghan women and girls.